Fastest method for icing cupcakes

[loopsngeorge]

Rather rashly, I offered to make a cake for my parents' 65th birthday/wedding anniversary party and am now wondering logistically how to do it! I think there will be about 100 people so I was thinking of doing an 8 inch round cake ('cos I've got that size cake tin!) with tiers of mini cupcakes underneath. For applying the buttercream icing do you use a palette knife or would something like an icing bag be faster? Or is there some other gadget I haven't heard of that would help me??

Any other general advice gratefully appreciated. I was thinking of using fresh flowers to decorate the top cake a la Primrose bakery cupcake book.....

You should use an icing bag but this was trial and error for me. Some great videos on YouTube to show how to.

I use disposable icing bags as they're not as messy.

Icing bag with a star nozzle will give the nicest effect.

nigella domestic goddess fairy cakes with royal icing on top which if you make just slightly runny will be almost poured in top for a flat finish which looks qute smart, especially if you find some nice decorations to go on top, i ordred paper roses from jane asher, which aren't cheap, but mad very simple cakes look quite pretty.

Or just plain runny icing and dollop on coloured coconut (just done the Easter ones with green 'grass').

I would use an icing bag. Get some disposable ones and have a practice.

When I first started I used to just practise piping into the worktop.

Go on youtube and look for wilton 1M flower piping videos. So so easy to do and look great.

There's a baking magazine on the shelves at the moment with a free icing bag and nozzle - only 2 or 3.99 so cheaper than buying one in the shop.

Is 65 years a special colour or gem? Congrats to them by the way!

I wouldn't recommend the magazine ones tbh. The tips are quite small and the bags are a rubbish plastic material that rips as soon as you squeeze it.

I would definitley recommend getting a bigger tip and some disposable bags. The bigger tips give a much nicer finish.

I usually use a Wilton 1m or 2d. They cost about £3-£4 each cheaper if you buy online if you can wait for delivery.

I'm in the docs atm so can post pics but both nozzles give a really lovely swirl and are so easy to do.

I second the nigella royal icing idea. Much easier to get a professional looking finish ime. You need a recipe that makes flat topped cupcakes tho or they won't work

Defo use a piping bag. I usually line them all up and just swirl away down the line until they're all done! Piece of cake - so to speak!

If you start from the middle, you get a different effect, than if you start from the outside. And if you start from the outside, start everso slightly over the edge. (Sorry, starting to get technical!)

I find the best way to get flat top cakes is to use standard size cases in a muffin pan. I use an ice cream scoop to put the mix in. 1 scoop in each case, bake for 20 mins (150 degrees in my fan oven)

I made a load on the weekend for eater cakes and had quite a few spare. I topped mine with a thin layer of. Strawberry jam (warmed in a saucepan) then drizzled with icing. They were delicious!

*easter cakes not eater

all cakes are eater cakes surely! Thanks so much for all the advice. I think I'm going to try the icing bag idea and get practising!

Icing bag with a Wilton 2D nozzle. Google Rose cupcake icing.

I think there's a pic on my profile of a rose swirl with the 1M tip. It really is so easy to do.

Good luck with the cakes!

wow, love your cakes mumatron!

I've found those clips on youtube as well which are a great help, and i've ordered my wilton nozzles so hopefully will be able to start icing the 50 or so cupcakes soon!

It is so easy my 7yo dd can do a presentable cupcake.

Be warned though, I find baking and topping cupcakes addictive

The rose icing is really quick and easy and looks very impressive.

Mumatron, do you think the 1M nozzle is better than the 2D?

I never use an icing bag because I think yo end up with too much icing. Too sweet and sickly. I use a small palette knife. I can ice and decorate 75 in under 2 hours!

trixy I only really use the 1M for that type of swirl. I use the 2D most of the time. They are pretty much the only nozzles I use tbh. I have a big set that never gets used.

Dd is asking to make cakes today so may have a practice with some of the others.